Bishop Hosius said: This also I think necessary.393393 Here the Greek
begins (reading ἄει for ἴνα and ἐξετάζεσθαι
for ἐξετάζοιτο)
according to Beveridge. Ye should consider with all
thoroughness and care, that if some rich man or professional advocate
be desired for bishop, he be not ordained until he have fulfilled the
ministry of reader, deacon, and presbyter, in order that, passing by
promotion through the several grades, he may 425advance (if, that is, he be found worthy) to
the height of the episcopate. And he shall remain in each order
assuredly for no brief time, that so his faith, his reputable life, his
steadfastness of character and considerateness of demeanour may be
well-known, and that he, being deemed worthy of the divine sacerdotal
office [sacerdotium, i.e., the episcopate] may enjoy the highest
honour. For it is not fitting, nor does discipline or good
conversation allow to proceed to this act rashly or lightly, so as to
ordain a bishop or presbyter or deacon hastily; as thus he would
rightly be accounted a novice, especially since also the most blessed
Apostle, he who was the teacher of the Gentiles, is seen to have
forbidden hasty ordinations; for the test of [even] the longest period
will not unreasonably be required to exemplify the conversation and
character of each [candidate].

All said that this was their pleasure and that it must
be absolutely irreversible.

(Latin.)

Bishop Hosius said: This also I think it necessary for you
to consider most carefully, that if perchance some rich man or
professional advocate or ex-official be desired for bishop, he be not
ordained until he have fulfilled the ministry of a reader and the
office of deacon and presbyter, and so ascend, if he have shown himself
worthy, through the several grades to the height of the
episcopate. For by these promotions which in any case take a
considerable length of time can be tested his faith, his discretion,
his gravity and modesty. And if he be found worthy, let him be
honoured with the divine sacerdotal office [i.e. the episcopate].
For it is not fitting, nor does order or discipline allow, that one be
rashly or lightly ordained bishop, presbyter or deacon, who is a
novice, especially since also the blessed Apostle, the teacher of the
Gentiles, is seen to have expressly forbidden it. But those
[should be ordained] whose life has been tested and their merit
approved by length of time.

All said that this was their pleasure.

Notes.

Ancient Epitome of Canon X.

No lawyer, teacher, or gentleman (πλούσιος)
shall be made a bishop without passing through the holy
orders. Nor shall the space of time between the orders be made
too brief, that there may be a better proof of his faith and good
conversation. For otherwise he is a neophyte.

This is Canon XIII. of Dionysius, Isidore, and the
Prisca.

Van Espen.

By Scholasticus de foro [“professional
advocate”] must be understood an eloquent pleader of difficult
causes, who being bound up in forensic disputes and strifes, may be
presumed to be little fitted for the priesthood, and therefore to need
a more strict examination.

The Synodal approbation is lacking in Dionysius as given
by Justellus, as well as in that of the Roman Code, but is found in
Labbe’s reprint of Dionysius and Isidore.